Latest News
Ministers mislead public over Welfare Reform
Ministers have been accused of misleading the public over welfare reform. Research has revealed that the vast majority of respondents to a government consultation were critical of the coalition’s planned changes to benefits for disabled people.
400 being prosecuted for census boycott
At least 400 people are being prosecuted for failing to complete last year’s census. Miriam Yagud, of Nailsworth Meeting, reports that this figure was given to her by the Office for National Statistics after a lengthy telephone conversation.
James Nayler Foundation closes
The James Nayler Foundation has announced that it is to close. The foundation was started in 1998 following an article in the Friend and a BBC television Panorama documentary on the prison work of consultant psychiatrist Bob Johnson. It aimed to embed Quaker values in work with people with severe personality...
Gordon Hirabayashi dies
A Quaker who spent decades fighting for human rights has died in the USA. Gordon Hirabayashi was described as a ‘civil rights icon’ by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). He was 93.
Pews and views
The Quaker architectural historian and writer David Butler is to speak at a forthcoming conference devoted to the non-conformist contribution to the story of pews, benches and chairs.
Peace activist faces ASBO
A pacifist campaigner has been threatened with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) by the Metropolitan Police. Chris Cole, a Roman Catholic peace activist from Oxford, has already served several prison sentences for offences committed in the course of nonviolent protests (see ‘More faith than hope’, 4 February 2011).
Court for census boycotter
An eighty-two-year-old Quaker is ready to go to prison over his boycott of the census. John Voysey, of Ludlow Meeting, has said he will refuse to pay a fine if found guilty. He will face magistrates on 1 February. A boycott campaign began after the government awarded the contract for...
Ministers ‘massaging’ aid money
Ministers have been accused of using ‘made-up money’ to meet their overseas aid targets. They plan to cancel a debt owed by Sudan and have said the money involved will be counted as aid. The Department for International Development made the admission in an email to Jubilee Debt Campaign....
Arms export guidelines broken
2012 will see UK ministers sending arms sales delegations to governments with a reputation for using violence against their own citizens. The arms wing of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the government’s export promotion unit, is planning missions to countries including Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Representatives will visit the...
Pioneering project in Uganda
A Quaker couple in Uganda have pioneered a new project aimed at tackling environmental problems and securing employment for disabled people. Mike and Liz Watson, of Skipton Meeting, moved to Uganda to work on health issues with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). After a two-year placement, they will return to...